What’s in a name

It would be a lot less awkward if I’d reverted to my maiden name after my divorce, but I really could not be bothered. My maiden name is not spelled the way it is pronounced and my first name has its own difficulties, so one of the pleasures of early matrimony was no longer having to spell out both names letter by letter every single time.

It seems discourteous to marry one man and use another man’s name, but I’ve got used to it. It trips off my tongue and spells itself easily and if you google it, it’s mostly me that you find.

To my shame, this last may be the deciding factor.

Oh, the patriarchy… Decisions decisions. Perhaps I should just choose another one altogether and be done with it.

9 responses to “What’s in a name”

I didn’t change my name- the patriarchy, professional reasons and also problems with my first name. However I’ve found taking a non-committal attitude to which name other people use a nice compromise. The bank seem to accept cheques in either. Although being refereed to as “Mrs John Smith” was a little more than I could stomach.

Ahh! Yes. My maiden name was Flood – my family being of Irish extraction – and my current one is just a delight in comparison. I latched onto it like a hungry little leech. It still messes with John’s mind a little, as whenever he hears ‘Mrs. HairyFarmer’, he thinks they are talking about his mother, not his wife. Freudian little bugger! My passport and drivers licence remained in my maiden name, although I have realised that both are now expired.

My neighbours are Dr. and Dr. G. Rachel is known as Dr. MaidenName at work, and Mrs. or Dr. G at home; the personal/professional split personality seems to work for her quite well.

Changing the name on your bank details and household bills might be a nice touch, as they are items on which you simply see your name as opposed to actually using it! I can’t remember the last time I actually signed my name since chip & pin.

Am a total wedding gooey freak, and am champing at the bit for more wedding details, incidentally!